Hello, my name is John, but all my friends call me Silky. I was born in Bolton Lancashire England. I enlisted in the Army where I met my wife, I was in the medical corps and she was in the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps. We now live in Jan’s place of birth which is Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. We have three daughters, six grandchildren and one great grand child.

I’ve always wanted to write but never found the time then in 2000 I enlisted on a creative writing course. Since then I’ve had one book published and co-written four others and halfway through the fifth. I have this year competed the Foundation Course on creative writing at Hull University.

I have also had seven short stories and over seventy poems published in various press magazines.

My book (‘YOU TWO! FALL IN - IN THREE RANK’ ISBN-13: 978-1847538383 can be purchased from Amazon.co.uk for £6.24 plus £2.80 P&P.) Or you can send me a PM for a signed copy at £6.50 and that includes P&P in the UK.) is a book of anecdotes about some of the funny incidents that happened while I was serving in the British Army from 5th November 1956 to 1st June 1981

There were bad times and good times. I’m glad to say that the good outweighed the bad. The good times stay with you and, thankfully, the bad fade into antiquity.

I’ve met many brave and outstanding people in my time; they performed their duty for Queen and Country in true military fashion. The surprising thing was that these outstanding men were the bane of the depot drill sergeant’s life. They had two left feet, couldn’t swing their arms and, once dressed in uniform resembled a sack of potatoes tied around the middle with string. One soon learnt that the old saying ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ couldn’t be more apt.

In the telling, many details are left out or taken for granted. The tales themselves are honed on the storytellers’ stone to suit the audience. Items or events are deleted or added to enhance the tale in its best light. In reality, after many recitations by others and me, the truth is often a million miles away from the actual facts.

Bugs me no end, many good books about the military life are published in the UK and then the cost to get them is more than I want to spend. Some times I get lucky and they are available in the library.

GuestGuest

Subject: Re: Books by ex Squaddies 15/8/2011, 05:52

No discounts for us poor buggers either?

Anyway Silky, please do not be offended, good luck with your book old son.

GuestGuest

Subject: Re: Books by ex Squaddies 15/8/2011, 08:14

Hi Beachley Boy, no offence taken, however, I would like to know why people think that books are expensive?

If you look at the cost of what my book cost from the publishers or Amazon then you will see that I do give a discount. I still have to purchase the book from the publisher.

Silky

GuestGuest

Subject: Re: Books by ex Squaddies 15/8/2011, 08:58

John A Silkstone wrote:

Hi Beachley Boy, no offence taken, however, I would like to know why people think that books are expensive?

If you look at the cost of what my book cost from the publishers or Amazon then you will see that I do give a discount. I still have to purchase the book from the publisher.

Silky

Good morning to you as well ! No worries Silky, I am now a rich Aussie, I could afford your book. I might order it old son. I know a couple of authors over here, they don't make much from sales after printing, commissions etc.

Bugs me no end, many good books about the military life are published in the UK and then the cost to get them is more than I want to spend. Some times I get lucky and they are available in the library.

The books on Amazon are cheap as it is only them and the publisher that get the money and the author who has done all the work is not paid his/her commision.

Silky

How does that work then? Thought it would be the authors copyright. They play a record on the radio and the owner gets a royalty so why are books different?

GuestGuest

Subject: Re: Books by ex Squaddies 15/8/2011, 18:35

Teabag wrote:

John A Silkstone wrote:

The books on Amazon are cheap as it is only them and the publisher that get the money and the author who has done all the work is not paid his/her commision.

Silky

How does that work then? Thought it would be the authors copyright. They play a record on the radio and the owner gets a royalty so why are books different?

Hello teabag and a good question, Before I answer I’ll let you know that I was editor and producer of a poetry and short story magazine call Longford Writers’, therefore I know a little about the publishing business.

The BBC pay performing rights of 3 million pounds per year to play records, as does all the other radio and TV companies. The film makers pay a smaller amount. This fee is paid up front.

However, copyright and commission on books is paid in arrears of usually three months. A well know author can get a commission from a publisher to write a book, but other authors don’t get a penny until their book starts to sell. The commission varies, but is normally around 27 pence a book. J.K.Rowling and all her Harry Potter books made her about £500,000 and she sold millions of books, her main money came from the movies.

Now to Amazon, if you take a close look at Amazon you will see that they don’t sell books, they only list book sellers who sell the books and Amazon get a commission from each sale. Now the problem here is that the author has no idea how many books have been sold, as the orders go to the printers, who in this day and age print on demand. The printer then post the book to the address of the purchaser and the book seller pays the printer, less their commission. If the printer isn't honest and a lot of them aren’t, then the poor author gets no return for their effort, because they don’t know a copy of their book has been sold.

My friend wrote a book and had it published by a local firm and purchased all 250 copies of the book, which was a one off job. His book is still on sale on Amazon so I purchased one which came from a shop in Hull. The book is nothing like the original that my friend had printed. I contacted the shop and after informing them that I was going to the police on behalf of my friend as the book was a forgery and infringed copyright, they provided me with the details of the printer. This printing company is 200 miles away and they are reproducing this book in poor quality as the spine split the first time I opened it.

My friend will not take it any further and therefore I cannot do any more.

This whole affair makes me wonder how many more illegal books are being printed by this company.

Thanks Silky. The whole thing stinks then. All that work only to be ripped off. Pity he never took it further though as it could have been seen as a shot across the bows of others who might be doing it.

I've read several autobiographies of serving/ex soldiers, the best by far is a book called ' They Stood in the Door' written by Don MacNaughton (16 Ind Para Bde) published by Arthur H Stockwell 1983. I've read the volume at least three times, if you haven't read it I recomend it. The most boring book I've read (to date) was penned by Gen Sir Mike Jackson and called 'Soldier' it was hard work getting to the last page, but a relief when it eventually happened.

Btw, people like Chis Ryan and Andy McNab clearly have their thoughts on their bank balances and imo should not be taken seriously.

This book is an in depth and often hilarious look at the men and machines that represented the British Army International Rally team during the period from 1971 to 1982.

Whilst predominantly the story of one driver, Les Dalton, it also covers the trials and tribulations of most of the Army, and RAFMSA crews competing on the home International rallies during that time. It is chock full of action stories,and superb professional photographs of Turbo Charged Land Rovers, Austin 1800s, and Mini's, describing life as it was: flat out on the special stages in one of the GREEN MACHINES.

For the real rally fans of that era, and for those who used to support the Army crews, here is a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This is the book to resurrect your memories of all of those freezing cold days waiting for hours after Roger, Timo and Hannu had gone through, just to cheer on the Army Land Rovers.

Just finished "Dead Men Risen", about the Welsh Guards in Afghanistan, don't think it was penned by a soldier but full of quotes etc so obviously written by someone who had access to information not generally available. Interesting informative and well written, I enjoyed it anyway.Should be about £20 but I picked it up second hand. Most inaccurate thing Iv'e read was "Too few, Too Far about the Falklands conflict. The "smell of cordite" from 7.62 ammo, c'mon lets be serious.

Just started reading General Sir Peter De La Billiere's autobiography 'Looking for trouble' I read it a few years ago and since it was a good read I thought I'd give it another go. I have also read General Mike Jackson's autobiography which was (imo) dull in comparison, if you have read neither I strongly recommend the former.

The latest read here is "It doesn't take a Hero" by old Stormin Norman Schwarzkopf, half way though at the moment, very interesting background to the guy and it would seem his reputation was earned. Another charity shop find

Just started reading General Sir Peter De La Billiere's autobiography 'Looking for trouble' I read it a few years ago and since it was a good read I thought I'd give it another go. I have also read General Mike Jackson's autobiography which was (imo) dull in comparison, if you have read neither I strongly recommend the former.

This morning I found a copy of his "Storm Command" in the Salvation Army charity shop so thats' waiting ready for when I've finished ole Stormin Norms book.